Description

On 17 May 1943, B-17 No. 41-24485, “Memphis Belle”, of the 91st Bomb group, stationed at Bassingbourn Air Base, completed her 25th combat mission over the continent. Two days earlier, her regular crew, that of Cpt Robert K. Morgan, had successfully completed its own 25th mission. At the time, it was assumed these were the first bomber and crew to have completed 25 missions. In anticipation of this event, the Oscar winning movie director, Maj William Wyler, had been stationed at Bassingbourn to film a documentary film, “The Memphis Belle: A Story of a Flying Fortress”, as a means to publicize contributions of the 8th Air Force to the war effort. Following her last mission, Cpt Morgan and his crew flew her back to the states for a nation-wide tour. Because of the documentary, “Memphis Belle” has become a legend, the most recognized B-17 of World War II. [After the War, it was discovered that B-17 No 41-24577, “Hell’s Angels” and Cpt Irl E. Baldwin’s crew of the 303rd Bomb Group had completed their 25thmission on 17 May]. The“Belle”and Cpt Morgan’s crew therefore survived the war. There were 20 other B-17s and their crews that accompanied the “Memphis Belle” on her final mission. This account documents the fate of these planes and crews as they continued their combat missions over the continent.